SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Reuters - Analysis: Sudan paramilitary leader jostles for role ahead of civilian handover

19/3/2023: Reuters - Analysis: Sudan paramilitary leader jostles for role ahead of civilian handover, by Khalid Abdelaziz

Reuters report on tensions between Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Himedti and army chief Abdulfattah al-Burhan following the framework agreement.

With al-Burhan pushing to include pro-military actors, Himedti has aligned with pro-democracy civilians in the Forces of Freedom and Change Central Council (FFC-CC). Given Himedti’s nomadic camel-herding background and Sudan’s dominance by Khartoum elites, analyst Suliman Baldo suggests Himedti aims to become "a force to be reckoned with in the national power structure”.

Four anonymous FFC-CC leaders said Himedti shares their civilian government goals and opposition to ex-president Omar al-Bashir loyalists, including in the military. However, one said they would return to their opposition roles if Himedti or al-Burhan reneged on the agreement.  

Military sources said Himedti’s disagreement with the army centers upon his reluctance to set a clear deadline for the RSF’s integration into the army, with clarity lacking over Himedti’s role in an enlarged army.  

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Monte Carro - Who is going to rule? The person who has the power or the person who has the domination

19/3/2023: Monte Carro - Who is going to rule? The person who has the power or the person who has the domination

Monte Carro, a news website specialising in Sudanese military affairs, report that army chief Abdulfattah al-Burhan told a Gulf mediator that he may lose control of the army unless he integrates the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into it.

The foiled military coup of 21 September 2021 was reportedly motivated by internal army tensions over the RSF’s growing power, with al-Burhan “aware of his diminishing popularity in the army amidst accusations that his weakness and hesitation caused the expansion of the RSF at the army’s expense,” despite using the RSF as a “scarecrow” to prevent army officers overthrowing him.

With the RSF “becoming like a political party” given its economic interests and domestic and foreign alliances, its commander Himedti allegedly seeks to ensure that integration occurs “according to his vision,” allegedly seeking to reap gains by prolonging the process “which cannot be achieved without his loyalists at the army’s helm”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Sudan will form new government on April 11: official spokesman

19/3/2023: Multiple sources - Sudan will form new government on April 11: official spokesman

• Reuters

• Sudan Tribune

Sudan's political factions have agreed to form a new transitional government on 11 April 2023, said Khalid Omar Yousif, the spokesperson for the signatories to the framework agreement.

The parties have agreed on a committee for drafting a new constitution that will include nine members of the civilian groups, one from the army and another from the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Yousif said. They will sign the transitional framework for the agreement early next month and a constitutional declaration on 6 April 2023.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - Militia-linked Darfur gold mines handed over to Sudan’s government: statement

19/3/2020: Sudan Tribune - Militia-linked Darfur gold mines handed over to Sudan’s government: statement

 Sudan Tribune reports Al-Junaid company, linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has handed over gold mines in North Darfur to the Sudanese government.

 The Minister of Energy and Mining, Adel Ali Ibrahim, directed the General Authority for Geological Research to form a committee to take control of the mines of Jabal Amer, North Darfur state.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune - UAE reaffirms is continued economic support to Sudan

19/3/2020: Sudan Tribune - UAE reaffirms is continued economic support to Sudan

 Sudan Tribune reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed its continued support for the Sudanese government in overcoming its economic challenges.

 Sudan Tribune has previously reported on the suspension of a $3 billion aid package to Sudan by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, at the request of the US, who allegedly believed that the support benefits the military component of Sudan’s transitional government.

 However, Hamad Mohammed Humaid Al-Junaibi, UAE Ambassador to Sudan, said his country continues to support the Sudanese government and will fulfil the joint pledge with made with Saudi Arabia in April 2019.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP - Proposed UN resolution would support Sudan’s peace efforts

19/3/2020: AP - Proposed UN resolution would support Sudan’s peace efforts, by Edith M. Lederer and Justin Lynch

 AP report that a proposed UN Security Council resolution would replace the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) with a UN political and peace-building mission whose primary aim would be to support Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy, including in drafting a new constitution and preparing for elections.

 The proposed resolution will be known as the UN Political and Peace-building Integrated Mission in Sudan (UNPPIMS), starting May 1 for an initial period of one year. UNPPIMS is authorised to support the implementation of any future peace agreements in Darfur, the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

 However, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised the report, with Executive Director Kenneth Roth calling on the UN Security Council to recognise that “that Darfur requires a far more gradual withdrawal” because “civilians can’t trust Sudanese security forces alone and still look to peacekeepers for protection.”